Chapter 75: Good grief woman

Clara had no idea what she had just said, but Dominic’s thoughts exploded in his head.

(Holy shit. Does that mean we can finally...?)

(Damn. I’ve never done this before. She’s so delicate, and I’m so much bigger. What if I hurt her?)

Dominic had always adored Clara, but the thought of hurting her had never once crossed his mind. Kissing her was one thing, but taking their relationship to the next level was something else entirely.

(Goodness... how do I even begin? Damn, I should’ve read a few books about being gentle.)

Dominic mentally cursed himself while his lips continued to claim Clara’s.

On the other hand, Clara silently listened to his thoughts, yet she didn’t stop him. Just like Dominic, this was a first for her in this new life.

She couldn’t help but remember how cold and heartless she had been after their intimacy in her previous life. Her indifference had always left Dominic drowning in guilt until, eventually, he had stopped coming to her room altogether. The only time he stepped inside again was after learning she was pregnant.

"Ha... I need some air."

Clara gently pulled away, breathing heavily before reaching for her top and tossing it aside.

"Enough kissing my lips," she whispered. "Now kiss me somewhere else."

Dominic froze for a heartbeat, stunned by her boldness. Then, like the obedient husband he had always been, he quietly followed her request.

His lips brushed against her cheek before trailing to her jaw, then down the graceful curve of her neck. He paused briefly, his gaze lingering on her porcelain skin, before placing a gentle kiss near her collarbone.

Clara let out a soft moan, her back arching instinctively at the tender sensation.

With careful movements, Dominic lowered the strap of her bra just enough to leave a featherlight kiss against her exposed skin.

Clara bit her lower lip as her fingers slipped into his silky hair, holding him close.

She had never imagined something so simple could make her heart race like this. Perhaps it was because this time she had chosen it with her whole heart. This time, she wanted Dominic, and every gentle touch made warmth spread through her entire body.

"Dom..." she breathed.

(Beautiful.)

The sound of her voice left Dominic completely captivated.

(She’s so soft... I just want to protect her.)

Despite his inexperience, Dominic tried his hardest to remain gentle, treating her as though she were something precious.

Yet every soft sound that escaped Clara made his thoughts betray him.

(The way she says my name... it makes me feel like I belong to her.)

Dominic’s breathing was uneven as he rested his forehead against hers, his heart pounding so loudly he was convinced she could hear it.

(Stay calm. Be a gentleman. Don’t rush her.)

(Why is my heart beating like this? This is worse.)

Clara couldn’t help smiling. Every ridiculous thought of his echoed clearly in her mind, making him far more endearing than he realized.

(Should I say something? No. Saying something will ruin it. Just look confident.)

(Do I look confident? I probably look like I’m having a stroke.)

A laugh escaped Clara before she could stop it.

Dominic froze. "Did... did I do something wrong?"

She shook her head, cupping his face with both hands. "No."

Encouraged, he leaned in again, his movements slow and careful, silently asking for permission with every glance.

(Okay... we’re doing this... don’t panic...)

Just as he was about to close the remaining distance, Clara suddenly planted both palms firmly against his chest.

"Dom, stop!"

Dominic became a statue.

(...What?)

(I messed up. I definitely messed up. Was I too fast? Too slow? Did I forget something? Did I breathe wrong? Oh no... was this a test?)

Clara stared at Dominic’s horrified expression for a full three seconds. He blinked in complete confusion, but before he could ask what was wrong, she suddenly froze.

"I-I think... my period just started."

Her words struck Dominic like a bolt of lightning.

His face fell instantly.

(What? Now? Seriously? We just got started!)

(Does this mean no touching for an entire week? God... how am I supposed to survive seven whole days?)

(This has to be the universe’s cruelest joke.)

While Dominic was busy mourning his terrible luck, Clara wore the exact same devastated expression.

Then a sharp cramp shot through her lower abdomen.

"Ow..."

She clutched her stomach, her face scrunching up in pain.

Dominic’s panic vanished in an instant.

"Clara!"

(Forget the week. My wife is in pain!)

***

Clara lay curled up on the bed, hugging a pillow against her stomach as though it had personally offended her.

"I swear," she groaned dramatically, glaring at the ceiling, "couldn’t you have arrived tomorrow? Or next week? Or never?"

She huffed.

"You’ve had an entire month to show up, and you chose today of all days."

Another cramp made her wince.

"Oh, so now you’re attacking me too? Wonderful."

She pointed accusingly at her own abdomen.

"You traitor."

The bedroom door opened just then.

Dominic walked in carrying a hot water bag wrapped neatly in a towel.

"I found one," he said, hurrying over.

Clara’s eyes lit up as if he’d returned from war carrying treasure.

"My hero..."

He couldn’t help chuckling as he carefully placed the warm compress against her lower abdomen.

"Better?"

She nodded happily.

"Mmm..."

For exactly five seconds.

Then Dominic stood up.

"I’ll go make you some ginger tea."

The moment the warmth left her stomach, another sharp cramp shot through her abdomen.

"Aah!"

She grabbed the edge of his shirt before he could take another step.

"Don’t go!"

Dominic looked back in alarm.

"It hurts?"

Clara nodded pitifully, her lower lip trembling.

"The hot water bag is leaving with you."

Dominic blinked before looking down.

The hot water bag had somehow ended up tucked under his arm instead of staying with Clara.

"...Right."

(Brilliant, Dominic. You’ve kidnapped the only thing keeping your wife pain-free.)

Trying not to make any mistake, he quickly placed it back against her stomach.

"There. I’m not taking it anywhere."

Clara sighed in relief and mumbled, "Good... because right now, I like that hot water bag almost as much as I like you."

Dominic smiled helplessly.

(I can’t believe I’m jealous of a hot water bag.)

"You don’t have to be," Clara replied, immediately catching Dominic’s attention.

"Hm?"

"I-I mean..." Heat rushed to her cheeks as she realized how her previous words could have been interpreted. She waved her hands frantically. "You don’t have to feel shy, Dom. Just... stay here with me, and I’ll feel better."

Dominic stared at her in confusion for a long moment.

Ever since Clara’s period had started, he had been feeling like the world’s most helpless husband. He wanted to ease her pain, but this was one battle he couldn’t fight for her.

When Clara patted the empty spot beside her, he didn’t hesitate. He slipped onto the bed, and within seconds she shuffled closer, resting her head against his chest while wrapping an arm around his waist.

"There..." she sighed contentedly. "Much better."

Dominic instinctively wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"You really feel better?"

Clara nodded before looking up at him with a tiny smile.

"Mhm. Your hugs are my favorite painkiller."

Dominic’s heart skipped a beat.

(She says things like that so casually...)

(Good grief, woman. You’re making it very difficult to stay calm.)

Clara snuggled even closer.

"If my period hadn’t decided to interrupt us..." she mumbled sleepily, "...I’d still be glued to you exactly like this."

Dominic nearly choked on his own breath.

(Why would she say that now?)

(Does she have any idea what that does to my heart?)

(Seriously... of all the possible days, why did her period have to choose today? This timing deserves an official complaint.)

He looked down at Clara, who had already closed her eyes comfortably against him.

A helpless smile tugged at his lips as he gently brushed a strand of hair away from her face.

(Forget it. She needs me more than my complaints do.)

Pulling the blanket over them, Dominic settled back against the headboard, letting Clara remain nestled safely in his arms until the cramps eased.

***

The next morning at Adrian’s residence, Logan stared at his boss in disbelief.

"Boss, you should refrain from eating so many sweets. Remember, you have a health check-up scheduled," Logan reminded him.

"I know, but a few cookies won’t make much difference," Adrian replied with a shrug.

(A few? Boss, you’ve already had six.)

Logan wanted to say it out loud, but wisely decided against it. Instead, he simply shook his head in dismay.

"Anyway, boss, these are the reports you asked for." He handed Adrian the file.

Anyone meeting Adrian for the first time might have mistaken him for a local resident. However, it had only been a few days since he had returned to the country.

It had been years since Adrian had left. He had spent most of that time overseas, personally monitoring his businesses. He only returned occasionally when his presence was required for important matters.

This time, however, he had decided to stay.

Part of the reason was the charity event his company organized every year, which he had finally decided to attend personally after years of avoiding it.

But that wasn’t the only reason he had returned.

There was something else—something far more personal—that had brought him back.

Adrian quickly finished his cookie and wiped the crumbs from the corner of his mouth before taking the file from Logan.

He casually opened it, expecting nothing more than another set of routine reports.

But the moment his eyes fell on the first page, all the color drained from his face.

For several seconds, Adrian simply stared at the contents, unable to move.

Then his eyes slowly filled with tears.

"Boss...?"

Adrian didn’t respond. Whatever he had just read had shaken him to his core.